Ile Aux Cerfs Golf Club
To say I am excited would be an understatement; I have been looking forward to playing this course for many years having read about it so many times in the Golf Monthly travel supplement.
The boat journey takes about 5-10 minutes and as we pull up alongside the jetty the guys are waiting to shuttle me and my clubs up to the clubhouse. A quick check-in sees me on the range warming up, the little pyramid of balls and the well-appointed practice range only elevates my already high expectations.
A quick chat with the starter and I am ready to smash my drive down the first fairway over the water to a raised fairway, a good drive and you will catch the hill to leave yourself a little wedge into a raised green with bunkers right and left to catch any wayward approach shots.
It’s the perfect start, the greens are in wonderful condition and the manicuring couldn’t be any better. On reaching the green at the second I look to the right and get my first glimpse of the ocean and those pure white sandy shores.
The third brings up the first of the par 3s and it’s a beautifully designed hole played over water and a waste bunker, with water also protecting the green on the right.
My expectations are surpassed and I can’t hide my smile as it’s one beautifully manicured hole after another, with glimpses of the vibrant azure ocean just teasing the senses.
   
Top Aerial view of Ile Aux Cerfs GC. Above par 3, 3rd green and risk and reward 9th green
The second of the par 3s on the front nine comes at the 8th hole played to another raised green and anything long will see you in vegetation anything short, right or left will see the ball run away down the slope into collection areas, hitting the green is paramount and I have managed to leave myself a birdie putt that I duly miss.
A strong risk and reward hole brings the front nine to a close, a good drive will give you the chance to take on the water and go for the green in two, the closer to the water on the right you are from the tee will leave you a shorter distance to carry for your second shot, so you could have as little as a wedge – for the longer hitters – to set up an eagle chance.
Like the front nine it’s another beautiful little starting hole to get the back nine underway, but it’s the 11th hole that teases you of what is about to come when you reach your drive, as I can see the ocean which runs down the left hand side of the hole just the other side of the trees and on reaching the raised green the trees disappear and just leave some stunning views that make your heart leap, you will certainly be taking some selfies and group photos on this green, it really is wonderful.
The 12th is a dogleg left and the ocean comes into view again as I play my approach shot to the green with the waves crashing on the beach just behind the green, it really is an idyllic setting.
The course comes to a close with a choice, once you reach your tee shot on the 18th you can choose to play to the old or new greens, one sitting like an infinity green with one of the rivers that runs into the sea as its backdrop or the other that sits just below the clubhouse, I take the third option and play a ball to each, well I am in paradise after all.
Aerial views of the 12th and 14th holes
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